Belmont Stakes (6/10/16)

By Dan Zucker

The 148th Belmont Stakes takes place on Saturday from legendary Belmont Park. Run at 12 furlongs (1.5 miles), which is longer than both the Derby and Preakness, the Belmont has been coined the test of Champions bringing many a Triple Crown contender to his knees.

And while there is no American Pharoah, the 2016 Belmont Stakes is shaping up to be quite the betting race. The full field of 13 starters is headed by Preakness Winner, Exaggerator, just one of two starters to have raced in both the Derby and Preakness (Lani was the other).

In 2015, over $80mm was wagered into the variety of wagering pools with an all sources handle on the day of $134mm, that's just north of the total Nevada handle on the 2016 Super Bowl. The point is this, liquidity brings opportunity and if you enjoy the track a couple of times a year, consider playing Belmont day (Breeders' Cup being the best wagering event in horse racing).

Belmont Stakes Facts

The betting favorite has won the race 42% of the time (62 of 147 races)

Secretariat ran the fastest Belmont in 2:24 seconds. Two seconds faster than his closest competitor and even more amazing was he ran the FASTEST ever ½ mile, ¾ mile, 1 mile and 1 ¼ mile fractions.

The winningest three post positions (since 1905): 1 (23), 3 (15) and 5 (15, including American Pharoah last year).

Starters from eleven post have won only three races since 1905

Horses that begin with the letter “E” have won only four Belmont's, while names with the letter “C” have won 20 times.

18 horses have completed the Preakness – Belmont double including Afleet Alex, most recently in 2005.

Mike Smith, John Velazquez and Kent Desormeaux are the only three jockeys in the race that have won a Belmont Stakes prior.